Machine for deforming glass articles



May 3, 1-927.

3 1 N t m n w W S m 2 S T 0 H. a. H m s m 2 V v A HB H D. MADDEN MACHINEFOR DEFORMING GLAss ARTICLES.

Filed 10. 1920 Q W Q.

May 3 1927' H. D. MADDEN MACHINE FOR YDEFORMING GLASS ARTICLES FiledDec. 10. '1920 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR HARRY DNADDEN AT'TORNEY reamedMay 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

HAIR-BY D. MADDEN, OI HEWABK, NEW JERSEY ASSIGNOB TO WESTINGHOUSE LAMPCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOB DEFOBHING GLASS ARTICLES.

Application filed December 10, 1920. Serial m. 429,628.

My invention relates to machines for reducing the perimeter of a portionof the len h of a body, andthe object of the invention is the provisionof a machine for the above purpose which shall be simple in constructionand automatic in operation and which shall expeditiously carry out thenecessary functions to form the defired shape in la ge quantities oftubes. 7 n 7 It has heretofore vbeen the practice to exhaustincandescent-lamp bulbs by forming a, tubulature on the large end of thebulb and providing a constricted portion ad'acent 16 the point at whichthe tubulature is e ected. The constriction in a tube, according to thismethod, is formed by fusing the end of the tube to the bulb andafterwards drawing the tube away from the bulb.

In the manufacture of a so-called tipless lamp, or lam in which the bulbis exhausted through t ebase end of the bulb, it is desirable to use atube having a constriction a substantial distance from its ends.

In practice, such exhaust tubes are consolidated in the exposed end of alamp mount andprovide a suitable'apcrture for exhaust purposes. Myinvention contemplates an automatic machine for providing a constrictionin tubes intended for use in the manufacture of the tipless lamps.

I In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of themachine,partly in section, some of the tube-gripping members 85 other importantparts; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing someofthe tubegrippmgmembers and tube guides; Fig. 3 is a side view'of a gri ping member witha tube secured therein; l ig. 4 is a view similar to Fig; 3 but showingthe gripping member in position for releasing or receiving a tube Fi 5is a diagrammatic view of two tubes nefii by a pair of gripping membersand showing a bulge on one of the tubes produced by the upward movementof the lower, ripping jaw; and Fig. 6 is'a side view 0 a tube providedwith a constriction formed by my machine.

Like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views. I

The invention, as illustrated in the anglass tube, rod oranalogousdesirable source of power b havin 'been omitted to more clearlyshow nexed drawings, comprises a mechanism which includes an upperc'lindrical member-composed of discs 2 an 3 connected by a hub 4. Belowthe upper -member and con-' tiguous thereto, is arranged a lowercylindrical member composed of discs 5 and 6 connected by hub 7.

The said cylindrical members are mounted upon, and secured to, avertical spindle 8..

The lower end of the spindle is suitably reduced in diameter to providea shoulder which bears on a support or table 10. The reduced ortion of,the spindle extends through t e table and a bearing 9, integral withthe table and is provided with a worm wheel 12 which may be connectedtoany means of a worm 11. When power is app ied, the worm drive causes therotation of the spindle and the cylindrical-members attached thereto.

The upper cylindrical-member is provided with a plurality of assages orwork-guides 15 spaced at interva in annular formation, equally distantfrom the axial line of the spindle and adjacent to the peripheries ofthe discs. The said guides are composed of passages 16 and 17 in theupper and lower discs, respectively, and connecting tubes 18. The uppercylindrical-member is of a greater diameter than the lower member to"permit the arrangement of the guides in the required location forfeeding the work to the proper osition to beadvanced. The enlargeddiameter of the passage 15 allows for the slight lateral movement of thelower. end of a tube as it passes through the passage 16. Since theconveyor is continuously advanced during the feeding of the tubesthereto, a lube fed to the guides may have a tendency to ti out of thevertical but by reason of the en ar ed guide, the tube will readilyadjust itscl during this downward movement.

The disc -5 of the lower cylindrical member is provided with a luralityof vertical recesses 21 that are uni ormly spaced about its peripher andthe disc 6' is provided with a lura ity of like recesses 22 similarlydispose The said slots are located iii the same radial planes as theguides 15' and are equal in number. to the said1 guides.

Th r e se 22 are provi with heads that are arranged to "slide verticallytherein. The recesses 21 are also provided with similar heads 24 whichare, however, rigidly secured in place. The heads 24 and 25, areotherwise similar and are provided with projections 26 and 27 (see Fig.2). A lever 28, having unequal arms, is pivoted between the projections26 and 27 on a pin 23. p

The short arm of the lever 28 projects toward the head and theoppositely rojecting long arm is provided with a weig t 30. In

the present construction, the weight 30 is r in the form of a roller,the, function of which will be hereinafter more fully explained.

.The vertical face of each head is provided with groove 29 of an ularshape. It will readily be understood t at, when the weighted lever armis free to drop, the short arm will move toward the groove and press anobject, such as a tube, against the groove 29 and secure it in place,the groove acting, in the case of a cylindrical object, to locate itcentrally of the head. For the purpose of preventingthe head'25 frombinding, I provide it with a counter wei ht 20. I

Gripping-members of this character may be readily constructed to givethe exact deree of pressure necessary to hold the obect in position.This is especiallyadvantageous in the present case where the objects tobe handled are fragile. The gripping or clamping members are arranged inpairs, about the discs, and are adapted to grip the ends of a tubeapplied thereto or to discharge a tube at the proper point.

For the purpose of reciprocating the sliding head 25, I provide it witha depending arm 39 having a roller 41 which rides on the surface of atrack 42. .It will readily be seen that any variation in the surface 42will cause a corresponding movement of the head and thus vary thedistance between the upper and lower gripping members. Where it isdesirable to increase the distance between the upper and lower grippingmembers, a depression, as at 43 in Fig. 1, is provided and, as theroller. 41 travels over the depression, the weight of the head 25 andits component arts causes it to drop or move away from t e upper rippingmember. To make thedownwar movement of the members more dpositive, anoverhanging ledge 44 is provide It is not necessary for the track 42 tocompletely surround the cylindrical members since stops 19 are providedto support the heads 25 when intheir lowest positions.

The lowergripping members will thus be carried over any portion of theirpath of movement where it is found desirable to eliminate the track.

'I he levers 28 of the grip ing members are operated by a means simi arto that which suitable receptacle, which may The burner faces actuatesthe .lower heads 25. For this purpose, continuous guides. 45 and 46 arelocated below the weighted ends or rollers of the levers, the saidguides having their surfaces undulated at the required places so thatthe rollers 30, when traversing the uides, will act to lift the levers28. The inc inations of the surfaces are so proportioned as to lift thelevers as the rollers pass up an incline and to lower them as therollers pass down an incline.

It will further be understood that the said undulations of the guides 45and 46 are so disposed as to simultaneously actuate the upper and lowerlevers of each pair of gripping members.

The summit of the rise in each guide is lo- 'cated at the point where atubeis to be applied to, or removed from, the gripping members. It willr'eadil be understood that, when the lever is rocked on its fulcrum, theshort arm acts either to grip an object as it is fed to the grippingmembers through the guides 15 or to permit it to drop into any belocated beneath the table, a suitably located slot being provided in thetable for the passage of the tubes.

Intermediate the u per and lower gripping members are ocated twoconcentrically arranged gas burners 31 and 32. are substantially of flatform and have a multiplicity of holes 33 to provide jets of flame. Theprimary object of the burners is not to direct the flame into contactwith the object to be softened but to cooperate or coordinate one burnerwith the other to cause heat to emanate across the space 34 (see Fig. 2)between the burners and form what will hereinafter be termed aheat-passage or heat zone, and it is through this passage that theportion of the object to be softened is drawn. 4

The gas burners extend over only a portion of the path traveled by thework-holding members and are supported by connection with gas inletpipes 35 and 36 (the said pipes are indicated by dotted lines). Y

The foregoing description locates and identities the various parts andtheir respective relations. I will now describe the operation of themachineand the method of forming the'co'nstricted portion of a glasstube or rod.

In the following description, the cylindrical members which revolve withthe spindle 8 will be referred to as a carriage, and this term, whenused, particularly in the claims, is to be construed as identifying thatpartvof the machine which receives, carries and delivers the work.

In the operation of the machine, the carriage 1S rotated, and the work,which, in the illustration, is in'the form of glass tubes 50,

is successively delivered to the gripping members, at any suitablepoint, through passages 15. Coincident with this point and upon thesurfaces 45 and 46, is a rise 51 (see Fig. v4) which lifts the levers 28to permit each successive tube dropped in place to be secured by a pairof gripping members. When the tube is in place, a portion of its lengthis adapted to .travel through the heated passage 34 existing between thetwo burners 31 and 32. To retain the tube in position before thegripping members have acted, a temporary sup ort 60, is provided. Thesaid support exten s about the carriage a sufficient distance to carrythe tube during the rotation of the carriage until the rollers 30 havetraveled to their lowest position upon the surfaces 45 and 46, at whichpoint the gripping members operate to secure the tube to be advanced.The support is provided with a resilient surface, in the form of a fiatspring 61, as illustrated in Fig. 4. This prevents breakagethroughimpact with an otherwise inelastic surface when the tube is delivered ordropped from any suitable feeding device through the chute to theopengripping members.

The several tubes, having been secured by the gripping members, areadvanced by the rotation of the carriage, whereby a portion of theseveral tubes passes through the heated zone.

As a given tube begins to reach the de-' sired plastic state, attainedwhile passing between the burners, the downward inclination of the track42 permits the lower gripping member to drop and gradually elongate orstretch the plastic. portion of the tube and, consequently to reduce itsperimeter at that point. By this means, a gradual pulling tion isaccomplished and it is therefore possible to alter this portion of thetube without retarding the operation or stopping the work, ashasheretofore been necessary.

The tube may be elongated either during the movement of the tube throughthe heated passage or immediately after the tube has left the saidpassage.

After the head 25 has dropped, and the constriction has been made in thetube, the rollers 30 travel over raised portions suitably located on theguides 45 and 46, thereby causing the levers to release the constrictedtube.

In practicing my invention, it may be found desirable, when treating atube having a relatively thinwall, to first compress or upset theportion to be constricted to increase the thickness of the wall at thatpoint,

preparatory to the elongation operation. A' protuberance or bulge 52 isshown on the.

tube 50 (in Fig. 5) and indicates the thickened wall of the tube. Thisis accomplished by providing a raised portion at a suitor stretching ofthe softened sec-' the feed hopper filled with blanks. The

machine receives the blanks, performs the necessary operation to eachsuccessive blank and deposits it in a receptacle.

Although I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is tobe understood that many structural changes may be elfected therein, andit is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims. As an illustration of suchstruc tural changes, the elongation of the tube may be varied asdesiredaccording to the depth of the depression or undulation inthetrack. The width of the burners may also be varied according to thedesired length of the portion of the tube to be made plastic.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A glass-working machine comprising means for producing a restrictedheat zone, means for continuously moving a tubular body through saidheat zone whereby heat is applied to a portion of the said tubular body,means for varying the length'of the heated portion to alter the calibreof the said heated'portion and means for discharging the altered tubularbody from the machine. y i

2. A glass-working machine comprising means for providing an annularrestricted heat zone, means for continuously moving a tubular bodythrough said annular heated zone whereby heatis applied to a portion ofthe said tubular, body, means for elongating the said heated-portion andmeans for discharging said tubular body from the machine.

A glass-working machine comprising a plurality of work-holders arrangedto support tubular bodies, two oppositely disposed concentric burnersarranged to provide a restricted heated zone, mechanism 0 erating tomove the work holders and there y cause sections of the tubular bodiest6 pass between the burners, means for stretching and thereby reducingthe perimeter of the heated section and means for actuating saidwork-holders to release said*tubular body.

4. A glass-working machine comprising a plurality of work-holdersarranged to support tubular bodies, two oppositely disposed'concentricburners arranged to provide a restricted heated zone, mechanismoperating to move the work holdersand thereby cause a section of thetubular bodies to pass between the burners, means for effecting .thereduction of the perimeter of the heated section and means for actuatingsaid work-holders to permit the removal of said tubular bodies from themachine.

5. In a machine for reducing the cross sectional area of a tubular body,the combination with means for producing a restriated heated zone, meansfor gripping the ends of said body, means for moving said gripped bodycontinuously through said zone to render plastic a portion of the bodyintermediate its ends, mechanism adapted to elongate the body and causea reduction in the calibre thereof at the plastic portion and means forcausing a removal of said tubular body from the machine. f

6. Ina machine for reducing the diameter of a portion of the length of atubu lar body, the combination with means for providing a circularrestricted heat zone, gripping members arranged to secure a tubular bodyat the ends thereof, means for moving said body to cause a portionthereof to travel through said heat zone until plastic, means foroperating said gripping members for increasing the length'ofthe plasticportion to reduce its diameter and means for actuating said grippingmembers to permit a discharge of said tubular body from the machine.

7. A glass-working machine comprising a carriage, a plurality oi.work-gripping members arranged thereon, burners comprising oppositelypositioned perforated surfaces adapted to provide a restricted heatedpassage, means for automatically operating the gripping members tosecure work inserted therein, means connected With the said carriage torotate the same to move the work through the said heated passage, meansfor positively separating the gripping members to elongate the heatedportion of the work, and means for opening the saidmembers to releasethe work. 7

8. In a machinefor reducingthe perimeter of a portion of the. length ofa relatively short section of a tube, the combination with a rotatablecircular carriage, of a series of alined upper and lower grippingmembers arranged about the periphery of the carriage, guides throughwhich tubes may be fed to the gripping members, a mechanism foractuating each of the said gripping members to secure a tube betweenpairs of said gripping members, burners comprising oppositely disposedperforated walls arranged intermediate the gripping restricted membersto produce a heat zone, means for rotating the carriage to contin uouslymove the tubes through said zone, until a portion of each tube becomesplastic,

means for moving the lower gripping member to efiect a stretching of theseveral tubes, and a mechanism for releasing the said tubes from thegripping members.

9. A glass working machine comprising a rotatable carriage having upperand lower discs, a plurality of work-gripping members secured atintervals around the periphery of the upper disc, a plurality ofgripping burners arranged to heat a portion of the work, means forrotating the carriage, means for moving the lower gripping memberdownwardly to elongate the'work and alter the heated portion, and meansfor actuatmg each successive pair of gripping members to release thework.

10. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length of atube comprising a rotatable carriage, tube-gripping members consistingof an upper head arranged to be secured in a fixed relation to thecarriage, a lower head arranged to be reciprocated vertically inrecesses in the carriage, the said heads being provided with outwardlyextended bearings, a groove formed in the head and between the bearings,levers mounted in the bearings, means for operating the levers to securea tube between one arm of each of the levers and the said groove, meansfor applying heat to the tube and means for moving the said lower headto elongate the said tube.

11. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length of atube comprising a rotatable carriage, said carriage including tubegripping members consisting of an upper head arranged to be secured in afixed relation to the carriage, a lower head arranged to slidevertically in recesses in the carriage, the said heads being providedwith outwardly extended bearings and groove formed in the head andbetween the bearings, double-arm levers mounted in the bearings, one armof each of the said levers being weighted whereby the opposite arm isnormally held in such relation to the said groove as to secure a tubethereto, means for applying heat to a tube thus secured, means formoving the said lower head to elongate the tube to alter its heatedportion, and means for operating the levers simultaneously to releasethe tube.

12. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length of atube comprising a rotatable carriage, said carriage includingtube-gripping members consisting of anupper head arranged to be securedin a fixed relation to the carriage, a lower head arranged to slidevertically in slots upon the carriage, the said heads being providedwith outwardly extended bearings, an angular groove formed in the headand between the bearings, double-arm leversmounted in the bearings, onearm of each of the said levers being weighted whereby the opposite armis normally held in such relation to the groove as to secure a tube incontact therewith, means for applying heat to a portion of the tube whensecured by the gripping members, means for moving the lower head toelongate the said tube and alter its perimeter, guide surfaces arrangedbelow the weighted arms of the levers, undulations upon the saidsurfaces, means for rotating the carriage whereby the weighted arms arecaused to travel up the undulated surfaces and thereby move the oppositearms to release the elongated tubes.

13. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length of atube comprising a rotatable carriage, means for rotating the same, saidcarriage including tubegripping members consisting of an upper headarranged to be secured in a fixed relation to the carriage, a lower headarranged to slide vertically in slots upon the carriage, the said headsbeing provided with outwardly extended bearings, an angular grooveformed in the head and between the bearings, levers mounted in thebearings, the said lower head bein provided with depending bearings androl ers, a track to afiord a bearing for the said rollers, means foroperating the levers to secure tubes between the end of the levers andgrooves, burners for appl ing heat to a portion of each of the saidtubes, a depressed portion in the said track whereby the lower heads arepermitted to drop and thereby elongate the heated tubes as the carriageis rotated, and means for actuating the levers to release the altered tue.

' 14. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length ofa tube comprising a rotatable carriage, means for rotating the carriage,said carriage including tubegripping members consisting of an upper headarranged to be secured in a fixed relation to the carriage, a lower headarranged to slide vertically in recesses in the carriage, the said headsbeing provided with outwardly extended bearings, an angular grooveformed in' the head and between the bearings, double-arm levers mountedin the bearings, the said lower head being provided with a de endingbearin and a roller, a

track to a 0rd a hearing or the said roller,

means for operating the levers to secure tubes between the ends of thelevers and the grooves, two concentrically arranged burners forming aheated path for the passage of a portion of each of the tubes duringtheir rotation with the carriage, a depression in the said trackwherebythe lower gripping members are caused to move away from the uppergripping members to eflect the elongation of the heated tube during therotation 'of the carriage, and means for actuating the double levers todischarge the tube.

15. A machine for reducing the perimeter of a portion of the length of atube comprising a rotatable carriage, means for rotating the carriage,said carriage including tubegripping members consisting of an upper headarranged to be secured in a fixed relation to the carriage, a lower headarranged to slide vertically in recesses in the carriage, the said headsbeing provided with outwardly extended bearings, an angular grooveformed in the head and between the bearings, double levers mounted inthe bearings, the said lower head being provided with a dependingbearing having a roller thereon, a track to afford a bearing for thesaid roller, means for operating the levers to secure a tube between theends of the levers and the groove, burners arranged to provide a heatedcourse for-the passage of a tube whereby a portion of the tube may bemade plastic, a depression and an elevation upon the said track tocause, first a compression of the heated portion and secondan elongationof the heated portion as the lower head .rises and falls during therotation of the carriage, and means for actuating the above mentionedlevers to release the said tube.

16. A device for holding glass tubes, .or

the like, comprising a head having a groove,

bearing arms rojecting fromthe said head at the sides 0 said groove, alever pivoted between the bearing arms, and a weight at one end of saidlever adapted by means of its potential energy to effect an engagementbetween the opposite end of said lever and a body disposed in saidroove.

17. ,A device for holding glass tubes, or the like, com rising a headhaving an angular groove, caring arms projecting from the head at thesides of said groove a lever pivoted between said bearing arms andhaving a weight upon its outer end whereb the opposite end is caused tomove t'owar the head and secure an object within the said groove.

18. A work holder comprisinga head and a support therefor, bearing armsprojecting outwardly from the head, a lever comprising a long and ashort arm and having a weight upon its long arm mounted between the saidbearing arms and a groove located in the head between the bearing arms,the short arm of said lever being movable toward said' the said carnage,bearing arms projectin contact therewith. from the heads, a double-armlever mounte In testimony whereof, I have hereunto between the saidbearing arms, a groove upon subscribed my name this 8th day of Decem- 5each of the heads and located between the her, 1920.

bearing arms, and a weight upon one of the lever arms whereby the otherarm is ac- HARRY D. MADDEN.

ranged to he reciprocated verticallly upon tuated toward the groove topress a tube in

